Plow.



No.838,477. PATENTED DEG.11,19 06.

G. B. THRASHBR.

PLOW.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 18, 190B.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

PLOW.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 11, 1906.

Application filed June 13, 1906. Serial No. 321,555.

T in whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUSTAVUS B. THRASHER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Valdosta, in the county of Lowndes and State ofGeorgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Plows, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to plows, and particularly to the beam of plows,which may be either arranged to have considerable length or shortened toaccommodate plowing in close places when shortened or fully up intofence-corners or in other places where a long length of beam wouldseriously interfere with the plowing operation, around stumps, trees,and the like, or adjacent to fences and at the same time provide meanswhereby the plowbeam may be expeditiously lengthened for ordinaryplowing operations.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of theseveral parts, which will be more fully hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a plow embodying thefeatures of the invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3is a transverse vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is aside elevation showing a modification in the construction. Fig. 5 is aside elevation of a plow embodying the features of the invention andshowing a wheel mounted in the main beam and constituting a furthermodified form of the construction.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several views.

The numeral 1 designates a longitudinal extension of the standard 2 andconstituting the main beam, to which a draft-animal may be directlyattached, as will be hereinafter explained, the said main beam alsoconstituting the shorter beam portion of the plowwhen the latter isadjusted to operate close around stumps or trees, within corners offences, or adjacent to the line of fences. The standard 2 carries aplow-blade 8. The plow-blade 3 may, however, be replaced by any othersuitable plow structure. The main beam 1 is composed, preferably, of twopieces of steel havin heads 5 at their front extremities provided withlongitudinal slots 6. These pieces of steel comprised in the structureof the main beam may be continued any distance downwardly to form thestandard 2 or may extend over the full length of the standard, thisbeing immaterial, as the essential feature consists in having the twopieces of steel separated by an intervening space 7 for the removableintroduction therein of an auxiliary beam 8, which extends fullyrearward between the two members or pieces of steel used in theconstruction of the said main beam 1 and detachably secured by bolts andnuts 9 and 10,respectively, extending transversely through the rearportion of the main beam and the heads 5. The bolt and nut 10 engage thecenter slots 6 of the heads 5 to hold the auxiliary beam in truelongitudinal position with respect to the main beam. The auxiliary beam8 has a head 10 with a plurality of openings 11. therein for theapplication of a lap-ring, clevis, or other draft appliance, and saidlap-ring or clevis may be adjusted vertically for obvious reasons.

Plow-handles 12 are secured to the opposite sides of the main beam at anintermediate point by a bolt and nut 13, and rising from the upperterminal of the standard 2 is a pair of braces 14, which are alsoattached to the handles 12 to reinforce the structure and stiffen theplow-handles sufficiently to resist strain and breakage.

In ordinary plowing operations the auxiliary beam 8 is inserted withinthe main beam and is secured against movement, the securement of saidauxiliary beam being at three pointsnamely, through the medium of thenut and bolts 9 and 10. The plow will then be provided with a beam ofthe usual length and may be used in pursuing plowing operations in theopen or at a distance from obstructions, fence-corners, or lines offences. When it is desired to plow close around stumps, trees,.lines offences, or within fencecorners, the auxiliary beam 8 is removed and thedraft attachments are connected to the heads 5 of the main beam andcaused to engage either one'of the slots 6. The shorter or main beamwill then permit plowing operations within a comparatively smallcompass, and by the use of this shorter form of beam the plow isparticularly adapted for gardenin 'work.

n the form of plow shown by Fig. 4 the plow member 15 is slotted, as at16, for vertical adjustment of the plow through the medium ofclamping-bolts 17, passing through the slotted portion of the plowmember and engaging the standard. The braces 14 in this instance arealso formed with a plurality of openings 19 in their upper extremities,so as to permit their adjustment on the plowhandles 12. This modifiedstructure will permit variations in the plowing operation, due to themovement of the plow member upwardly or downwardly, as may be desiredand found necessary to meet certain contingencies.

' In Fig. 5 a wheel 20 is shown inserted between the members of the mainbeam of the plow to adapt the plow particularly for garden and patchwork. This wheel 20 is in cluded in the complement of the general ploworganization and will be furnished with the plow when put on the market.When the auxiliary beam 8' is detached, the wheel 20 is inserted in thefront extremity of the main beam and secured in the heads of the ID6111-bers of said main beam by a removable bolt, which serves as a bearing oraxle therefor, the bolt being one of those used in securing theauxiliary beam within the main beam, or it may be a different bolt,which would be an obvious expedient. It is also proposed to usedifferent forms of plow-blades or other cultivating devices inconnection with the standard 2, and particularly such blades orcultivating devices as are now commonly known in the market and readilyapplicable to and removable from diiferent plow-standards.

The improved plow will be found exceptionally convenient andadvantageous, and variations in the dimensions and proportions thereofmay be adopted as desired.

Having thus described the invention, What.

is claimed is- In a plow, the combination of a main beam having astraight portion comprising members with an open space between themthroughout the full length of the said members, the open space betweenthe members extending back to a point adjacent to the rear curve of thebeam, and a device removably inserted in the. open space in the straightportion of the beam, attaching means extending through the free end ofthe main beam and the intermediate portion of the said device. 4

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

GUSTAVUS B. THRASHER.

Witnesses:

O. M. SMITH, R. D. MYDDELTON.

